Indiana University Athletics
2003 Recruiting Class Announced (2-06-03)
2/6/2003 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
February 6, 2003
Bloomington, Ind. - The Indiana field hockey team announced today its 2003 recruiting class. Head coach Amy Robertson received three letters of intent from Rachel Telian (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer), Jodi Murphy (Williamsburg, Va./Jamestown) and Morgan Miller (Gap, Pa./Pequea Valley).
"We are very blessed this year with the new incoming talent that will be joining the IU Field hockey family," head coach Amy Robertson said. " This group of young women will make an immediate impact and will be a huge boost to the growth of our relatively new Indiana Field Hockey Program. We were looking for prospects who were the complete package and that is exactly what we will be getting with this year's signees. The 2003 incoming class have a lot of qualities in common. They will bring to the team a combination of talent, a passion for field hockey, great athleticism, good understanding of the game, determination, maturity and charismatic personality. One thing that I am really proud of with this class is that they are not only great players but they are also great people."
Rachel Telian comes to Indiana from Ann Arbor, Mich. As a member of the Pioneer High School field hockey team, Telian received All-State honors in her junior and senior seasons. Telian was a member of the 2000 and 2001 State Championship field hockey team and was captain of the 2002 State Championship runner up team. Telian also lettered in volleyball her sophomore, junior and senior years.
"Indiana seemed like a place that I would be happy at," Rachel Telian said. "It seemed like Ann Arbor without actually being here. I like that. I was drawn to the coaching staff and the fact that I would be involved in a relatively new program."
"Rachel has great size, fundamental skills and is a fierce competitor," coach Robertson said. "She hails from a very successful high school program and knows what it takes to win games. Her work ethic, determination and drive will add to the growth of our program." Morgan Miller will join the Hoosier squad from Pequea Valley High School. During Miller's junior year, she received team defensive MVP. In her senior season she was awarded team MVP. Miller was a two-time Lancaster Lebanon League first-team all-star.
Miller is also a member of the basketball and soccer teams at Pequea Valley, in addition to being an active member of the National Honor Society, Peer Helpers and the FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America).
"I loved the team when I went on my visit to Indiana," Morgan said. "On the field the team really plays as one unit. They were also very welcoming to me on my visit and the coaching staff was great as well. I love their coaching style. The team atmosphere that Indiana offers and the Big Ten environment is something that I want to be a part of."
"Morgan just decided this year that she wanted to go to college to play field hockey instead of basketball," coach Robertson said. "With this realization she has just started to place her focus and increased efforts toward improving her field hockey skills. She has great potential to develop into a top division I player."
A four-year varsity starter at Jamestown High School, Jodi Murphy comes to Bloomington, from Williamsburg, Va., with a wealth of field hockey experience. Murphy, who was team captain in her junior and senior seasons, received first-team All-District and first-team All-Region in 2001 and 2002. Also in 2002 Murphy was honored with first-team All-State accolades and was named Virginia High School League AA State Player of the Year.
From 1999-2002 the Daily Press and Virginia Gazette chose Murphy to its first team and in 2002 named her Player of the Year.
Murphy was also a member of the Futures program, participating in the National Tournament from 1999-2002 and B Camp in 2002. She will also be attending A Camp. Murphy is leader of the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) and a member of SADD (Students Against Drunk Driving).
"I was deciding between William and Mary, the University of Richmond and Indiana," Jodi explained. "I live right near William and Mary and my older sister attends the University of Richmond. Coming to IU will give me enough distance and the opportunity for a new beginning. I feel that Indiana will give me the full college experience. The team was great when I met them and I had great visit."
"Jodi is a playmaker and sees the game extremely well," said coach Robertson. "She will come in right away and play a pivotal role for us in the midfield. She is very game savvy and will be exciting to watch. She will be instrumental in our future success"
